WICHITA FALLS - First-time homebuyers likely contributed to an impressive jump in existing home sales in the Wichita Falls Multiple Listing Service during first quarter 2015.

According to information released by the Wichita Falls Association of Realtors, 323 existing homes were sold January through March, compared to 284 the first three months of 2014.

“With a nearly 50 percent increase in units sold over March 2014, our first quarter sales transactions are up by 13 percent over the same time period last year, while the total volume of sales is up 3 percent,” said Danny Steed of Hirschi Realtors.

“With a lower average sales price for the year of $110,000 versus $122,000 last year, more first-time homebuyers are entering the market, and more low end sales are taking place.”

Data show 152 existing home sales were closed in March 2015 versus 102 in March 2014.

The total volume through March 2015 is $35.9 million, and was $35.8 million first quarter 2014.

The last time more than 300 existing homes sold in the first quarter was in 2013 when 339 were bought, according to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.